Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-01
SIX YEARS IN PRISON.
Mrs. Pages Assailant Sentenced To.
day.
VESTS STATEMENT IN COURT-REMARKs OF JUDGE
MAOARTHUR.


Arthur. the case OF John l. West (the colored ex.
clerk OF the land onceS convicted OF housebreak.
ing and assault with intent to commit rape on
the person OF Mrs. Mary Irene Page In November
last, was resumed, and Mr.. Cook concluded his
argument on the motion for a new trial
The court said that he was quite satisfied that
the question Of prejudice had not entered into the
case, and he therefore Overruled the motion.
The district attorney moved that the sentence
be imposed.
The court said that he would pass but one SEN
tence, for there was but one transaction out OF
which the three of1enses grew, and he would not
impose cumulative sentence.
The district attorney claimed that the defend
ant could be sentenced to fifteen years under one
count and nve years on another, and read author
The court said he would pronounce but one sen
tence, and In view Of the circumstances he should
breaking with intent to rape. This he said, was
in conformity with the facts and the theory upon
which he was tried
WHAT WEST HAD TO SAY FOR HIMSELF.
In a clear firm voice West replied to the courts
question to whether he desired to say anything,
that he had been maliciously prosecuted. He
stood charged with three Off1enses, all horrible,
and two most revolving, and he claimed both race
and religious prejudice had contributed to his
the S SaS 10 s h
would have purchased the chlorofOrm and left the
label OF the druggist thereon. He denied that he
IL,
since the testimony OF Mrs. Page, some Of mis-
friends had Withdrawn themselves from him. He
had come here voluntarily. and had he realized
A criminal fleeing from justice does not vOlunta-
rily go into the clutches OF the law. He had a
would rather be In his grave than be standing to
tion Of his past lie although he laid no claim to
perfection, for he had reached 37k years when
charged with this crime. 1t was contrary to rea-
son to suppose that one OF his character would
West then commented on the evidence and asked
why the bloody garment was not produced or the
servant, Lydia Berry, brought forward as wit
the truth, and that the government did not want
1t was impossible that the two cuts described
10 nave VEL o tS 5ae Of o91d
wen testilies that he did not prescribe for Mrs.
Page when first called, but went on to inform the
had promised her in case OF trouble to return them
and when she asked for them he gave them up.
Of tse We oaly
MIS- Page and he. 1t does not do to destroy
Mr. Cah1ll-West, this will not do.
The district attorney-Let him proceed.
The prisoner continued. saying he would desist
in his comments, as he had been advised, but
would state that he had endeavored all his life to
live an humble but honorable life, and This trouble
he could not express. He was compelled to submit
to fate, and would rather go hence to life long i'm
be set at liberty and go forth at liberty with the
consciousness OF guilt upon his soul. Trusting
CQaC frOS1QcuCc WAL SCI al tQlnSS r1glG. ana De-
neving that the time viii come when the clouds
will break and It viii be seen that am innocent,I
have to sup n cos 2uSSn S1 usn s1sna
your honor, to receive my sentence"
THE SENTENCE.
The SeuE said the position was embarrassing.
He did not see how the. verdict could have been
otherwise. There was no doubt as to the assault,
and the object OF an assault on q woman in the
dead hour OF night in her bed chamber was appar-
rent, and it was he who was the assaiiant. In
! OmmendatiOn OF the jury, but he should also con-
slider the aggravated and cruel character OF the
crime 1t was somewhat singular that one who
perpetrateS such q crime should always accom-
pany 1t by brutality, but such was the case. The
jury could not adopt the defense that he was un-
conscious or incapable OF knowing right from
wrong at the time. He felt It incumbent on the
court to give somewhat severe sentence and pro-
nouncedit: imprisonment at hard labor in the
Albany county penitentiary for six years from
noon today"
The usual order suspending sentence till after
the next term OF the Court In General Term was